Key Takeaways:
– George Lucas directed the original Star Wars and returned for the prequel trilogy.
– He did not adopt the “multiple takes” approach made infamous by Stanley Kubrick.
– Lucas found the process of editing the most enjoyable part of filmmaking.
– Nick Gillard, the stunt coordinator, provided insight into Lucas' unique approach.
George Lucas, acclaimed for his work on the Star Wars franchise, differs significantly from Stanley Kubrick, another giant of the sci-fi directing world. While accomplishing the Star Wars saga, Lucas did not embrace the tactic of multiple takes, which was a trademark of Kubrick's direction style.
Understanding George Lucas' Filmmaking Methods
Serving as the Star Wars stunt coordinator, Nick Gillard provided an insider view of Lucas' direction techniques. Contrary to rumors, Lucas didn't always shoot scenes with minimal takes. According to Gillard, “When George gets something right, there's no point in doing it over and over again.” This implies that Lucas, unlike Kubrick, did not go in for multiple takes of each scene.
Stanley Kubrick, acclaimed for the 1968 masterpiece ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,' typically resorted to numerous takes for each scene to accomplish the desired outcome. While Kubrick is notorious for this method, Lucas carved his own unique path in the sci-fi genre and did not follow suit.
Lucas' Favorite Part: Editing
Moving beyond Lucas' direction style, Gillard provided more insight into the director's love for his craft. Lucas has openly admitted he does not enjoy directing but surprisingly returned to direct the full prequel trilogy of Star Wars. Asked about Lucas' favorite part of the filmmaking process, Gillard revealed that it was the editing.
Gillard quoted Lucas as being, “Loose, fast, intense, and very, very focused;” adding, “He knows exactly what he needs to do to get into the editing room and he can't wait to get there. That's his favorite part.”
In spite of his lackluster passion for directing, Lucas relished in the editing process of making Star Wars films. Given Star Wars's exceptional visual and sound effects, it is easy to understand why Lucas found the editing process so stimulating and rewarding.
Star Wars Variety in Film and TV
Star Wars, the film series that catapulted George Lucas into the annals of cinematic history, spawned a massive franchise. It spread across films, TV shows, comic books, and merchandise, becoming a pop culture phenomenon over the decades. Despite Lucas being at the helm of only a few of these initiatives, his influence carries forward. Even today, you can stream Star Wars movies and TV shows on Disney+, continuing the saga birthed in 1977.
In Summary
George Lucas, the visionary director of the Star Wars franchise, adopted a unique directing style that starkly contrasted Stanley Kubrick's method yet resulted in similarly esteemed films. Shunning the multiple takes approach, Lucas embraced editing as his favorite aspect of creating his film masterpieces. As observed by stunt coordinator Nick Gillard, “He knows exactly what he needs to do to get into the editing room and he can't wait to get there.” With this outlook, Lucas irrevocably transformed sci-fi cinema, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.
